The tank comes with the fitted juwel 2 x 30w t8 tubes. one says its a 30w day lite and the other says 30w warm lite... i can't find the technical specications about lumens and suchlike fopr these bulbs but this gives me 1.2w/USgal

now, here's the first question - is this lighting setup enough to allow me to grow low to moderate lighting plants such as anubias, crpypts, java fern, christmas moss, valls OR would it be worth my while getting a new t5 2 x 45w setup to give 1.9w/USgal? (costing over £100) would these extra watts make a significant difference to the range of plants i could grow?

secondly - do refelctors REALLY double the effective output of your lights, and would this be a more sensible option (costing about £15)?

(btw i've got pool filter sand as my substrate)

muchos gracias amigos

Angel079

03-16-2010 06:24 PM

Welcome to the forum.
I know these bulbs had them in my tanks when we lived overseas and they do well on plants yes. But please do NOT ask me the kelvin's any more their daylights are something like 6000K and the warm white was something like 4500 or 5000. So all within good range. However if you think the previous owner already had them in there for several yrs you may want to consider replacing them as they should be every few yrs (some say each year even). Even in the UK just go to a homestore and look for the same sized bulbs and read the small pint on the packages you'll find the Kelvin rating on there and at the homestores they're farrrrr cheaper then the petshop :-) Just get bulbs rated around 6500Kelvin and that'll be perfect set up right there.

Reflectors help yes but doubling it I doubt it very much. Which really with 2x30w over a 45g tank that you have there that's a lot as is; for comparison I run ONE tube across the tank size on my 55g @ 32w only (55g is around 200+ L )

sik80

03-16-2010 06:32 PM

thanks or the advice angel. Think i'll stick with replcaing the bulbs and getting some reflectors then.

checking out your tanks for some guidance on lighting has been very useful too

Angel079

03-16-2010 09:00 PM

When in doubt on a tank you found used - Exchange bulbs :-) That's the safest way you know you have new one's that aren't worn down and you can be sure to have the correct spectrum :-)

Yup have almost all tanks listed some more some less up to date :-) If there's specific info I can help with eg. plants used just let me know which tank and I'll be glad to help (I just never took the time to list all plants for all tank lol)
Edit: I should add for your info: These tanks are all set up w/out specialized plant substrate, no fertilizer added no CO2 ran into it and low lights. Often people assume that's what yo need for healthy plants and well my tank's pictures w/out all that stuff show's IMO that it works well without it too :-)

sik80

03-17-2010 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel079
(Post 345424)

Yup have almost all tanks listed some more some less up to date :-) If there's specific info I can help with eg. plants used just let me know which tank and I'll be glad to help (I just never took the time to list all plants for all tank lol)
Edit: I should add for your info: These tanks are all set up w/out specialized plant substrate, no fertilizer added no CO2 ran into it and low lights. Often people assume that's what yo need for healthy plants and well my tank's pictures w/out all that stuff show's IMO that it works well without it too :-)

thats good to know. i've perhaps spent too long looking at forums like theplantedtank and getting ideas that i need all manner of fancy gear to grow some plants, which patently isn't true (tho that site is full of lots of good expert advice)

i'll be finalising what plants to get in the next few weeks, so i may get back to you with some specific questions